Cuthbert J. “Bert” Behan III, age 68 of Smyrna, DE, died suddenly at his residence on December 5, 2011. Born in Odessa, TX he was the son of the late Cuthbert J. Behan, Jr. and Betsy Dowling Behan. Upon graduation from High School in 1962 Bert enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served until 1966 at which time he joined the United States Air Force Reserves and served until 1997. He was a proud Veteran who served his nation in both the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.
From 1966 until 1974, Mr. Behan served as a police officer with the Dover Police Dept. During this time he was a firearm trainer and a national combat police revolver champion. In 1974 he was an Air Reserve Technician Instructor Loadmaster with the 512th Military Airlift Wing and remained there until 1987. From 1987 until 1993, he served with the 326th Airlift Squadron as Chief Standardization Loadmaster. In 1993 he retired from flying and became an Air Terminal Operations Manager in the 436th Aerial Port Squadron until 2007. From 2007 until present Bert returned to his lifelong interest in firearms training at Shooter's Choice in Dover.
Bert was a member of St. Polycarps Catholic Church in Smyrna, the Air Mobility Command Museum, located at Dover Air Force Base, the National Rifle Association, American Legion, and the Air Force Sergeants Association.
Bert was a wonderful and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Richard Behan.
Bert leaves his loving wife of 47 years, Virginia (Ginny) Rodgers Behan of Smyrna, DE; two children; James R Behan, of Conshohocken, PA and Margaret Anne Keegan and husband Michael, of West Chester, PA, sister Heidi F. Mueller and husband, Scott of N. Plainfield, NJ; 3 brothers, Thomas Behan and wife Maureen, of Long Beach, NY, Terence Behan of Long Beach, NY, and Robert Pickwick and wife Linda, of Deer Park, NY; and 4 grandsons, Patrick M. Keegan, Quinn J. Keegan, Matthew J. Behan and Casey M. Behan.
Friends may call Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. at The Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso, 1175 S. State St., Dover. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, Dec. 9 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Polycarp Catholic Church, 135 Ransom Lane, Smyrna. Interment will be in The Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear, DE at 11:00 a.m. Following the interment, the family would like to invite relatives and friends to a memorial luncheon at the Delaware State Troopers Association, located on Messina Hill Rd., Dover.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Air Mobility Command Museum, 1301 Heritage Rd., Dover AFB, DE 19902-5301. Condolences may be forwarded and Guest Book signed via www.ambruso.com.